Alternative Therapies to combat mental illness

June 13, 2019, Indian Newslink

Laughter Club: Laughter is the best medicine. Laughing with a group for no reason might sound crazy but works wonders.

Tai chi, Yoga, Zumba: Any form of exercise incorporated into daily routine brings clarity.

Daily Journal: Allowing the flow of emotions daily on a piece of paper avoids harmful expressions of anger, jealousy, guilt, etc. An early morning start with SAVERS- Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, Scribble is a wonderful beginning to set the vibration of the day and setting boundaries with other people. Also helps in recognizing the triggers or behavioral patterns.

Affirmations, Chants: Creating positive energy and vibrations is important to attract and manifest dreams.

Friends: Positive friends assist in stretching the comfort zone leading to growth.

Creativity: Pursue a passion or hobby (e.g. starting a yoga/ Zumba class, greeting cards business, online shop)

Voluntary Work: Community contribution not only adds to the credentials on your CV but also eliminates bad Karma and leads other people to follow in your footsteps. The more you give or offer your skills, the fear of judgment, rejection, and self-pity decreases and builds self-esteem, and confidence.

Setting up a daily routine and intention for the day.

Control the demons of jealousy, anger, guilt, shame, and resentments: Understand anger is stupid and can cause the release of stress hormones or cortisols in your body deteriorating the mental balance.

Working on bad habits, weaknesses, and addictions: Inner journey to self-discovery can lead to identifying the flaws and triggers.

Ask a friend or mentor to guide and hold you accountable.

Reward System: Treat yourself every time you achieve a goal.

Meditation and Reiki Healing Practices: Meditation helps calm the nervous system and helps to reflect on choices and release what doesn’t serve.

Accepting Challenges: Helps in the emotional, spiritual, and mental growth.

Vision Board and Goal setting: Focus on different areas like health, finances, community, family, career, and personal growth

Keeping Salt in different corners of the house, lighting an incense stick and a lamp on the altar, keeping plants (no cactus or artificial plants) in the house, creating positive energy, and eliminating negativity. Scientifically, salt/ Sodium is a positive ion, so absorbs negative ions or energy around us.

Lighting a lamp or keeping salt in jars might seem superstitious to some; however, understanding the science behind it would yield far more benefits. On the streets, we call it vibes, in religion, it's called spirits and in Science, we call it energy. Remember we are working with the fire element to uplift our inner world to radiate positive vibes.

Crystal healing/ Chakra healing: Chakras are energy centers in our bodies. Blockages in the nerve bundles can cause imbalance, resulting in ailments. Solar plexus chakra governs the digestive organs and is associated with yellow colour. Any issues with digestion, gall bladder, liver, or pancreas are a result of blocked solar plexus chakra. It leads to low self-esteem, confidence, and anxiety issues. Hence the caution, listen to your gut feeling. This is our second brain.

Nature is the best healer: Planning outdoor adventures, hiking, beach walks, and walking barefoot on sand helps regularly helps recharge and renew life.

Keep in mind, brighter days are ahead. Hope is only a wishful prayer but action will lead to victory and success. The answer is within you and not in the process.

Laughter is the best medicine (Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash)

Yoga is good for the mind and body (Photo by Erik Brolin on Unsplash)

Disclaimer: The above should be treated as suggestions. Please consult or seek professional medical advice before undertaking any of the above.

These remedies can be practiced along with expert advice and are not a replacement for psychotherapy or counseling required.